Gaming apparatus with a consecutive wins multiplier

ABSTRACT

A casino gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory and may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, to cause a video image to be generated on the display unit, to determine if a player has won a given number of consecutive winnings games, and to determine a bonus value payout if a player has won a subsequent game after winning the given number of consecutive winning games without an intervening losing game, the bonus value payout being based on a normal value payout that would have been paid out for winning the subsequent game without previously winning the given number of consecutive winning games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a gaming apparatus that iscapable of providing a consecutive wins multiplier, the gaming apparatusallowing customers to play casino games such as poker, blackjack, slot,keno, and bingo.

[0002] Casino gaming units that provide a bonus based on a bonus game orround are generally known in the art. In particular, the bonus game orround may be provided if certain conditions are met. A player may beprovided with a listing of certain conditions to reach the bonus game orround. For example, a bonus game may be played if a player achieves acertain configuration of symbols in a slot game. In another example, abonus round may be played during a casino game if a player accumulates aparticular number of credits. As a result, players may be accustomed tothe typical ways of achieving additional payout of value or credits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a casino gamingapparatus that may include a display unit capable of generating videoimages, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled tothe display unit. The controller may comprise a processor and a memoryand may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, to cause avideo image to be generated on the display unit, to determine if aperson has won a given number of consecutive games and to determine abonus value payout if a person has won a subsequent game after winningthe given number of consecutive winning games without an interveninglosing game, the bonus value payout being one of a non-whole numbermultiple and a whole-number multiple of a normal value payout that wouldhave been paid out for winning the subsequent game without previouslywinning the given number of consecutive winning games.

[0004] The video image may represent a video casino game selected fromthe group of video casino games consisting of video poker, videoblackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo, in which case thevideo image may comprise an image of a plurality of playing cards if thevideo casino game comprises video poker; the video image may comprise animage of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if the video casinogame comprises video slots; the video image may comprise an image of aplurality of playing cards if the video casino game comprises videoblackjack; the video image may comprise an image of a plurality of kenonumbers if the video casino game comprises video keno; and the videoimage may comprise an image of a bingo grid if the video casino gamecomprises video bingo.

[0005] The controller may be programmed with a software counter that isreset in response to a loss of a game. The controller may be programmedto generate one or more video images in response to the given number ofconsecutive winning games. The controller may be programmed to generateone or more audio segments in response to the given number ofconsecutive winning games.

[0006] The invention is also directed to a casino gaming method that maycomprise causing a video game image to be generated, determining if aplayer has won a given number of consecutive winning games that is beingnon-selectable by a player, and determining a bonus value payout if aplayer has won a subsequent game after winning the given number ofconsecutive winning games without an intervening losing game such thatthe bonus value payout being based on a normal value payout that wouldhave been paid out for winning the subsequent game without previouslywinning the given number of consecutive winning games.

[0007] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a memory having acomputer program being capable of being used in connection with a gamingapparatus. The memory may comprise a first memory portion physicallyconfigured in accordance with computer program instructions that wouldcause the gaming apparatus to allow a person to make a wager, a secondmemory portion physically configured in accordance with computer programinstructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to cause a videoimage to be generated on a display unit, a third memory portionphysically configured in accordance with computer program instructionsthat would cause the gaming apparatus to determine if a player has won agiven number of consecutive winning games that is non-selectable by aplayer, and a fourth memory portion physically configured in accordancewith computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatusto determine a bonus value payout if a player has won a subsequent gameafter winning the given number of consecutive winning games without anintervening losing game such that the bonus value payout is based on anormal value payout that would have been paid out for winning thesubsequent game without previously winning the given number ofconsecutive winning games.

[0008] The features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detaileddescription of various embodiments, which is made with reference to thedrawings, a brief description of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming system inaccordance with the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the gamingunits shown schematically in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a gamingunit;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic components of thegaming unit of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine that maybe performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a mainroutine that may be performed during operation of one or more of thegaming units;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual displaythat may be displayed during performance of the video poker routine ofFIG. 8;

[0016]FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual displaythat may be displayed during performance of the video blackjack routineof FIG. 9;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker routinethat may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjackroutine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;

[0019]FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual displaythat may be displayed during performance of the slots routine of FIG.12;

[0020]FIG. 11 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual displaythat may be displayed during performance of the video keno routine ofFIG. 13;

[0021]FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine thatmay be performed by one or more of the gaming units;

[0022]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno routinethat may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;

[0023]FIG. 14 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual displaythat may be displayed during performance of the video bingo routine ofFIG. 15;

[0024]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo routinethat may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; and

[0025]FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a payout multiplierroutine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0026]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a casino gaming system 10 inaccordance with the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the casino gamingsystem 10 may include a first group or network 12 of casino gaming units20 operatively coupled to a network computer 22 via a network data linkor bus 24. The casino gaming system 10 may include a second group ornetwork 26 of casino gaming units 30 operatively coupled to a networkcomputer 32 via a network data link or bus 34. The first and secondgaming networks 12, 26 may be operatively coupled to each other via anetwork 40, which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide areanetwork (WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link 42and a second network link 44.

[0027] The first network 12 of gaming units 20 may be provided in afirst casino, and the second network 26 of gaming units 30 may beprovided in a second casino located in a separate geographic locationthan the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be located indifferent areas of the same city, or they may be located in differentstates. The network 40 may include a plurality of network computers orserver computers (not shown), each of which may be operativelyinterconnected. Where the network 40 comprises the Internet, datacommunication may take place over the communication links 42, 44 via anInternet communication protocol.

[0028] The network computer 22 may be a server computer and may be usedto accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of the gamingunits 20. For example, the network computer 22 may continuously receivedata from each of the gaming units 20 indicative of the dollar amountand number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units 20, dataindicative of how much each of the gaming units 20 is paying out inwinnings, etc. The network computer 32 may be a server computer and maybe used to perform the same or different functions in relation to thegaming units 30 as the network computer 22 described above.

[0029] Although each network 12, 26 is shown to include one networkcomputer 22, 32 and four gaming units 20, 30, it should be understoodthat different numbers of computers and gaming units may be utilized.For example, the network 12 may include a plurality of network computers22 and tens or hundreds of gaming units 20, all of which may beinterconnected via the data link 24. The data link 24 may provided as adedicated hardwired link or a wireless link. Although the data link 24is shown as a single data link 24, the data link 24 may comprisemultiple data links.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of one ormore of the gaming units 20. Although the following descriptionaddresses the design of the gaming units 20, it should be understoodthat the gaming units 30 may have the same or different design as thegaming units 20 described below. It should be understood that the designof one or more of the gaming units 20 may be different than the designof other gaming units 20, and that the design of one or more of thegaming units 30 may be different than the design of other gaming units30. Each gaming unit 20 may be any type of casino gaming unit and mayhave various different structures and methods of operation. Forexemplary purposes, various designs of the gaming units 20 are describedbelow, but it should be understood that numerous other designs may beutilized.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the casino gaming unit 20 may include ahousing or cabinet 50 and one or more input devices, which may include acoin slot or acceptor 52, a paper currency acceptor 54, a ticketreader/printer 56 and a card reader 58, which may be used to input valueto the gaming unit 20. A value input device may include any device thatcan accept value from a customer. As used herein, the term “value” mayencompass gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers, creditor debit cards, and any other object representative of value.

[0032] If provided on the gaming unit 20, the ticket reader/printer 56may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket vouchers 60.The ticket vouchers 60 may be composed of paper or another printable orencodable material and may have one or more of the followinginformational items printed or encoded thereon: the casino name, thetype of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with controland/or security data, the date and time of issuance of the ticketvoucher, redemption instructions and restrictions, a description of anaward, and any other information that may be necessary or desirable.Different types of ticket vouchers 60 could be used, such as bonusticket vouchers, cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticketvouchers, extra game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers,restaurant ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticketvouchers 60 could be printed with an optically readable material such asink, or data on the ticket vouchers 60 could be magnetically encoded.The ticket reader/printer 56 may be provided with the ability to bothread and print ticket vouchers 60, or it may be provided with theability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers 60. In thelatter case, for example, some of the gaming units 20 may have ticketprinters 56 that may be used to print ticket vouchers 60, which couldthen be used by a player in other gaming units 20 that have ticketreaders 56.

[0033] If provided, the card reader 58 may include any type of cardreading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical cardreader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a player,such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If provided for playertracking purposes, the card reader 58 may be used to read data from,and/or write data to, player tracking cards that are capable of storingdata representing the identity of a player, the identity of a casino,the player's gaming habits, etc.

[0034] The gaming unit 20 may include one or more audio speakers 62, acoin payout tray 64, an input control panel 66, and a color videodisplay unit 70 for displaying images relating to the game or gamesprovided by the gaming unit 20. The audio speakers 62 may generate audiorepresenting sounds such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, adealer's voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to acasino game. The input control panel 66 may be provided with a pluralityof pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas that may be pressed by a playerto select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc.

[0035]FIG. 2A illustrates one possible embodiment of the control panel66, which may be used where the gaming unit 20 is a slot machine havinga plurality of mechanical or “virtual” reels. Referring to FIG. 2A, thecontrol panel 66 may include a “See Pays” button 72 that, whenactivated, causes the display unit 70 to generate one or more displayscreens showing the odds or payout information for the game or gamesprovided by the gaming unit 20. As used herein, the term “button” isintended to encompass any device that allows a player to make an input,such as an input device that must be depressed to make an inputselection or a display area that a player may simply touch. The controlpanel 66 may include a “Cash Out” button 74 that may be activated when aplayer decides to terminate play on the gaming unit 20, in which casethe gaming unit 20 may return value to the player, such as by returninga number of coins to the player via the payout tray 64.

[0036] If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a plurality ofreels and a plurality of paylines which define winning combinations ofreel symbols, the control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality ofselection buttons 76, each of which allows the player to select adifferent number of paylines prior to spinning the reels. For example,five buttons 76 may be provided, each of which may allow a player toselect one, three, five, seven or nine paylines.

[0037] If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a plurality ofreels, the control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality ofselection buttons 78 each of which allows a player to specify a wageramount for each payline selected. For example, if the smallest wageraccepted by the gaming unit 20 is a quarter ($0.25), the gaming unit 20may be provided with five selection buttons 78, each of which may allowa player to select one, two, three, four or five quarters to wager foreach payline selected. In that case, if a player were to activate the“5” button 76 (meaning that five paylines were to be played on the nextspin of the reels) and then activate the “3” button 78 (meaning thatthree coins per payline were to be wagered), the total wager would be$3.75 (assuming the minimum bet was $0.25).

[0038] The control panel 66 may include a “Max Bet” button 80 to allow aplayer to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In the aboveexample, where up to nine paylines were provided and up to five quarterscould be wagered for each payline selected, the maximum wager would be45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel 66 may include a spin button82 to allow the player to initiate spinning of the reels of a slots gameafter a wager has been made.

[0039] In FIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around the buttons 72, 74, 76,78, 80, 82. It should be understood that that rectangle simplydesignates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons 72, 74,76, 78, 80, 82 may be located. Consequently, the term “control panel”should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate separate from thehousing 50 of the gaming unit 20 is required, and the term “controlpanel” may encompass a plurality or grouping of player activatablebuttons.

[0040] Although one possible control panel 66 is described above, itshould be understood that different buttons could be utilized in thecontrol panel 66, and that the particular buttons used may depend on thegame or games that could be played on the gaming unit 20. Although thecontrol panel 66 is shown to be separate from the display unit 70, itshould be understood that the control panel 66 could be generated by thedisplay unit 70. In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel66 could be a colored area generated by the display unit 70, and sometype of mechanism may be associated with the display unit 70 to detectwhen each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen.

Gaming Unit Electronics

[0041]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a number of components that may beincorporated in the gaming unit 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the gaming unit20 may include a controller 100 that may comprise a program memory 102,a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 104, a random-access memory(RAM) 106 and an input/output (I/O) circuit 108, all of which may beinterconnected via an address/data bus 110. It should be appreciatedthat although only one microprocessor 104 is shown, the controller 100may include multiple microprocessors 104. Similarly, the memory of thecontroller 100 may include multiple RAMs 106 and multiple programmemories 102. Although the I/O circuit 108 is shown as a single block,it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit 108 may include a numberof different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s) 104 and program memories102 may be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readablememories, and/or optically readable memories, for example.

[0042]FIG. 3 illustrates that the control panel 66, the coin acceptor52, the bill acceptor 54, the card reader 58 and the ticketreader/printer 56 may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit 108,each of those components being so coupled by either a unidirectional orbidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data link, which may dependon the design of the component that is used. The speaker(s) 62 may beoperatively coupled to a sound circuit 112, that may comprise a voice-and sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise a driver circuit. Thesound-generating circuit 112 may be coupled to the I/O circuit 108.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the components 52, 54, 56, 58, 66, 112 may beconnected to the I/O circuit 108 via a respective direct line orconductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For example, oneor more of the components shown in FIG. 3 may be connected to the I/Ocircuit 108 via a common bus or other data link that is shared by anumber of components. Furthermore, some of the components may bedirectly connected to the microprocessor 104 without passing through theI/O circuit 108.

Overall Operation of Gaming Unit

[0044] One manner in which one or more of the gaming units 20 (and oneor more of the gaming units 30) may operate is described below inconnection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number ofportions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may bestored in one or more of the memories of the controller 100. Thecomputer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely, outsideof the gaming unit 20, and may control the operation of the gaming unit20 from a remote location. Such remote control may be facilitated withthe use of a wireless connection, or by an Internet interface thatconnects the gaming unit 20 with a remote computer (such as one of thenetwork computers 22, 32) having a memory in which the computer programportions are stored. The computer program portions may be written in anyhigh level language such as C, C+, C++ or the like or any low-level,assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program portionstherein, various portions of the memories 102, 106 are physically and/orstructurally configured in accordance with computer programinstructions.

[0045]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main operating routine 200 that may bestored in the memory of the controller 100. Referring to FIG. 4, themain routine 200 may begin operation at block 202 during which anattraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potentialplayer in a casino to play the gaming unit 20. The attraction sequencemay be performed by displaying one or more video images on the displayunit 70 and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice ormusic, to be generated via the speakers 62. The attraction sequence mayinclude a scrolling list of games that may be played on the gaming unit20 and/or video images of various games being played, such as videopoker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, etc.

[0046] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potentialplayer makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as determined at block 204,the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game-selection displaymay be generated on the display unit 70 at block 206 to allow the playerto select a game available on the gaming unit 20. The gaming unit 20 maydetect an input at block 204 in various ways. For example, the gamingunit 20 could detect if the player presses any button on the gaming unit20; the gaming unit 20 could determine if the player deposited one ormore coins into the gaming unit 20; the gaming unit 20 could determineif player deposited paper currency into the gaming unit; etc.

[0047] The game-selection display generated at block 206 may include,for example, a list of video games that may be played on the gaming unit20 and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value intothe gaming unit 20. While the game-selection display is generated, thegaming unit 20 may wait for the player to make a game selection. Uponselection of one of the games by the player as determined at block 208,the controller 100 may cause one of a number of game routines to beperformed to allow the selected game to be played. For example, the gameroutines could include a video poker routine 210, a video blackjackroutine 220, a slot routine 230, a video keno routine 240, and a videobingo routine 250. At block 208, if no game selection is made within agiven period of time, the operation may branch back to block 202.

[0048] After one of the routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 has beenperformed to allow the player to play one of the games, block 260 may beutilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on thegaming unit 20 or to select another game. If the player wishes to stopplaying the gaming unit 20, which wish may be expressed, for example, byselecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller 100 may dispense value tothe player at block 262 based on the outcome of the game(s) played bythe player. The operation may then return to block 202. If the playerdid not wish to quit as determined at block 260, the routine may returnto block 208 where the game-selection display may again be generated toallow the player to select another game.

[0049] It should be noted that although five gaming routines are shownin FIG. 4, a different number of routines could be included to allowplay of a different number of games. The gaming unit 20 may also beprogrammed to allow play of different games.

[0050]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an alternative main operating routine 300that may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. The main routine300 may be utilized for gaming units 20 that are designed to allow playof only a single game or single type of game. Referring to FIG. 5, themain routine 300 may begin operation at block 302 during which anattraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potentialplayer in a casino to play the gaming unit 20. The attraction sequencemay be performed by displaying one or more video images on the displayunit 70 and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice ormusic, to be generated via the speakers 62.

[0051] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potentialplayer makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as determined at block 304,the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game display may begenerated on the display unit 70 at block 306. The game displaygenerated at block 306 may include, for example, an image of the casinogame that may be played on the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message toprompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit 20. At block308, the gaming unit 20 may determine if the player requestedinformation concerning the game, in which case the requested informationmay be displayed at block 310. Block 312 may be used to determine if theplayer requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine 320may be performed. The game routine 320 could be any one of the gameroutines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game routines 210,220, 230, 240, 250, or another game routine.

[0052] After the routine 320 has been performed to allow the player toplay the game, block 322 may be utilized to determine whether the playerwishes to terminate play on the gaming unit 20. If the player wishes tostop playing the gaming unit 20, which wish may be expressed, forexample, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller 100 maydispense value to the player at block 324 based on the outcome of thegame(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block302. If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block 322, theprogram may branch back to block 308.

Video Poker

[0053]FIG. 6 is an exemplary display 350 that may be shown on thedisplay unit 70 during performance of the video poker routine 210 shownschematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 6, the display 350 mayinclude video images 352 of a plurality of playing cards representingthe player's hand, such as five cards. To allow the player to controlthe play of the video poker game, a plurality of player-selectablebuttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Hold” button 354disposed directly below each of the playing card images 352, a “CashOut” button 356, a “See Pays” button 358, a “Bet One Credit” button 360,a “Bet Max Credits” button 362, and a “Deal/Draw” button 364. Thedisplay 350 may also include an area 366 in which the number ofremaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 isprovided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons 354, 356, 358, 360,362, 364 may form part of the video display 350. Alternatively, one ormore of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that isprovided separately from the display unit 70.

[0054]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the video poker routine 210 shownschematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 8, at block 370, the routinemay determine whether the player has requested payout information, suchas by activating the “See Pays” button 358, in which case at block 372the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on thedisplay unit 70. At block 374, the routine may determine whether theplayer has made a bet, such as by pressing the “Bet One Credit” button360, in which case at block 376 bet data corresponding to the bet madeby the player may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. Atblock 378, the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the“Bet Max Credits” button 362, in which case at block 380 bet datacorresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memoryof the controller 100.

[0055] At block 382, the routine may determine if the player desires anew hand to be dealt, which may be determined by detecting if the“Deal/Draw” button 364 was activated after a wager was made. In thatcase, at block 384 a video poker hand may be “dealt” by causing thedisplay unit 70 to generate the playing card images 352. After the handis dealt, at block 386 the routine may determine if any of the “Hold”buttons 354 have been activated by the player, in which case dataregarding which of the playing card images 352 are to be “held” may bestored in the controller 100 at block 388. If the “Deal/Draw” button 364is activated again as determined at block 390, each of the playing cardimages 352 that was not “held” may be caused to disappear from the videodisplay 350 and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing cardimage 352 at block 392.

[0056] The poker routine 210 may determine whether the poker handrepresented by the playing card images 352 currently displayed is awinner during a payout routine 396 as described in detail below. Thatdetermination may be made by comparing data representing the currentlydisplayed poker hand with data representing all possible winning hands,which may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. If there is awinning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may bedetermined by the payout routine 396. At block 398, the player'scumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting thebet made by the player and adding, if the hand was a winner, the payoutvalue determined by the payout routine 396. The cumulative value ornumber of credits may also be displayed in the display area 366 (FIG.6).

[0057] Although the video poker routine 210 is described above inconnection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine 210 maybe modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For example,seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be played.Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously played. Inthat case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker hand, and theplayer may be allowed to hold certain cards. After deciding which cardsto hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a plurality of differentpoker hands, with the remaining cards for each of those poker handsbeing randomly determined.

Video Blackjack

[0058]FIG. 7 is an exemplary display 400 that may be shown on thedisplay unit 70 during performance of the video blackjack routine 220shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 7, the display 400 mayinclude video images 402 of a pair of playing cards representing adealer's hand, with one of the cards shown face up and the other cardbeing shown face down, and video images 404 of a pair of playing cardsrepresenting a player's hand, with both the cards shown face up. The“dealer” may be the gaming unit 20.

[0059] To allow the player to control the play of the video blackjackgame, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. Thebuttons may include a “Cash Out” button 406, a “See Pays” button 408, a“Stay” button 410, a “Hit” button 412, a “Bet One Credit” button 414,and a “Bet Max Credits” button 416. The display 400 may also include anarea 418 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed.If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, thebuttons 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 may form part of the video display400. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as partof a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit 70.

[0060]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine 220 shownschematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 9, the video blackjackroutine 220 may begin at block 420 where it may determine whether a bethas been made by the player. That may be determined, for example, bydetecting the activation of either the “Bet One Credit” button 414 orthe “Bet Max Credits” button 416. At block 422, bet data correspondingto the bet made at block 420 may be stored in the memory of thecontroller 100. At block 424, a dealer's hand and a player's hand may be“dealt” by making the playing card images 402, 404 appear on the displayunit 70.

[0061] At block 426, the player may be allowed to be “hit,” in whichcase at block 428 another card will be dealt to the player's hand bymaking another playing card image 404 appear in the display 400. If theplayer has hit, block 430 may determine if the player has “bust,” orexceeded 21. If the player has not bust, blocks 426 and 428 may beperformed again to allow the player to be hit again.

[0062] If the player decides not to hit (i.e., to stand), at block 432the routine may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether thedealer hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules,such as the dealer always hit if the dealer's hand totals 15 or less. Ifthe dealer hits, at block 434 the dealer's hand may be dealt anothercard by making another playing card image 402 appear in the display 400.At block 436 the routine may determine whether the dealer has bust. Ifthe dealer has not bust, blocks 432, 434 may be performed again to allowthe dealer to be hit again.

[0063] If the dealer does not hit (i.e., stands), the payout routine 396as described in detail below may determine the outcome of the blackjackgame and a corresponding payout based on, for example, whether theplayer or the dealer has the higher hand that does not exceed 21. If theplayer has a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winninghand may be determined by the payout routine 396. At block 442, theplayer's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated bysubtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the player won,the payout value determined by the payout routine 396. The cumulativevalue or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 418(FIG. 7).

Slot

[0064]FIG. 10 is an exemplary display 450 that may be shown on thedisplay unit 70 during performance of the slot routine 230 shownschematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 10, the display 450 mayinclude video images 452 of a plurality of slot machine reels, each ofthe reels having a plurality of reel symbols 454 associated therewith.Although the display 450 shows five reel images 452, each of which mayhave three reel symbols 454 that are visible at a time, other reelconfigurations could be utilized. In an alternate embodiment, the gamingunit 20 may include a plurality of rotatable slot machine reels, each ofthe reels having a plurality of reel symbols disposed thereon. Thegaming unit 20, for example, may include five rotatable slot machinereels, each of which may have three reel symbols that are visible at atime.

[0065] To allow the player to control the play of the slot game, aplurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons mayinclude a “Cash Out” button 456, a “See Pays” button 458, a plurality ofpayline-selection buttons 460 each of which allows the player to selecta different number of paylines prior to “spinning” the reels, aplurality of bet-selection buttons 462 each of which allows a player tospecify a wager amount for each payline selected, a “Spin” button 464,and a “Max Bet” button 466 to allow a player to make the maximum wagerallowable.

[0066]FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the slots routine 230 shownschematically in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 12, at block 470, theroutine may determine whether the player has requested payoutinformation, such as by activating the “See Pays” button 458, in whichcase at block 472 the routine may cause one or more pay tables to bedisplayed on the display unit 70. At block 474, the routine maydetermine whether the player has pressed one of the payline-selectionbuttons 460, in which case at block 476 data corresponding to the numberof paylines selected by the player may be stored in the memory of thecontroller 100. At block 478, the routine may determine whether theplayer has pressed one of the bet-selection buttons 462, in which caseat block 480 data corresponding to the amount bet per payline may bestored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 482, the routinemay determine whether the player has pressed the “Max Bet” button 466,in which case at block 484 bet data (which may include both payline dataand bet-per-payline data) corresponding to the maximum allowable bet maybe stored in the memory of the controller 100.

[0067] If the “Spin” button 464 has been activated by the player asdetermined at block 486, at block 488 the routine may cause the slotmachine reel images 452 to begin “spinning” so as to simulate theappearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine reels. Atblock 490, the routine may determine the positions at which the slotmachine reel images will stop, or the particular symbol images 454 thatwill be displayed when the reel images 452 stop spinning. At block 492,the routine may stop the reel images 452 from spinning by displayingstationary reel images 452 and images of three symbols 454 for eachstopped reel image 452. The virtual reels may be stopped from left toright, from the perspective of the player, or in any other manner orsequence.

[0068] The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game orround if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the stoppedreel images 452 of a particular symbol 454. If there is such a bonuscondition as determined at block 494, the routine may proceed to block496 where a bonus round may be played. The bonus round may be adifferent game than slots, and many other types of bonus games could beprovided. If the player wins the bonus round, or receives additionalcredits or points in the bonus round, a bonus value may be determined atblock 498. A payout value corresponding to outcome of the slots gameand/or the bonus round may be determined by the payout routine 396 asdescribed in detail below. At block 502, the player's cumulative valueor number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by theplayer and adding, if the slot game and/or bonus round was a winner, thepayout value determined by the payout routine 396.

[0069] Although the above routine has been described as a virtual slotmachine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as images onthe display unit 70, actual slot machine reels that are capable of beingspun may be utilized instead.

Video Keno

[0070]FIG. 11 is an exemplary display 520 that may be shown on thedisplay unit 70 during performance of the video keno routine 240 shownschematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 11, the display 520 mayinclude a video image 522 of a plurality of numbers that were selectedby the player prior to the start of a keno game and a video image 524 ofa plurality of numbers randomly selected during the keno game. Therandomly selected numbers may be displayed in a grid pattern.

[0071] To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, aplurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons mayinclude a “Cash Out” button 526, a “See Pays” button 528, a “Bet OneCredit” button 530, a “Bet Max Credits” button 532, a “Select Ticket”button 534, a “Select Number” button 536, and a “Play” button 538. Thedisplay 520 may also include an area 540 in which the number ofremaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 isprovided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of thevideo display 520. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may beprovided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from thedisplay unit 70.

[0072]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the video keno routine 240 shownschematically in FIG. 4. The keno routine 240 may be utilized inconnection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is playinga keno game, or the keno routine 340 may be utilized in connection withmultiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are playing a singlekeno game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described belowmay be performed either by the controller 100 in each gaming unit or byone of the network computer 22, 32 to which multiple gaming units 20 areoperatively connected.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 13, at block 550, the routine may determinewhether the player has requested payout information, such as byactivating the “See Pays” button 528, in which case at block 552 theroutine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the displayunit 70. At block 554, the routine may determine whether the player hasmade a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button 530 orthe “Bet Max Credits” button 532, in which case at block 556 bet datacorresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memoryof the controller 100. After the player has made a wager, at block 558the player may select a keno ticket, and at block 560 the ticket may bedisplayed on the display 520. At block 562, the player may select one ormore game numbers, which may be within a range set by the casino. Afterbeing selected, the player's game numbers may be stored in the memory ofthe controller 100 at block 564 and may be included in the image 522 onthe display 520 at block 566. After a certain amount of time, the kenogame may be closed to additional players (where a number of players areplaying a single keno game using multiple gambling units 20).

[0074] If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block 568,at block 570 a game number within a range set by the casino may berandomly selected either by the controller 100 or a central computeroperatively connected to the controller, such as one of the networkcomputers 22, 32. At block 572, the randomly selected game number may bedisplayed on the display unit 70 and the display units 70 of othergaming units 20 (if any) which are involved in the same keno game. Atblock 574, the controller 100 (or the central computer noted above) mayincrement a count which keeps track of how many game numbers have beenselected at block 570.

[0075] At block 576, the controller 100 (or one of the network computers22, 32) may determine whether a maximum number of game numbers withinthe range have been randomly selected. If not, another game number maybe randomly selected at block 570. If the maximum number of game numbershas been selected, the controller 100 (or a central computer) mayperform the payout routine 396 as described below to determine whetherthere are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbersselected by the player and the game numbers selected at block 570 tocause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how manynumbers the player selected and the particular keno rules being used.

[0076] If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may bedetermined by the payout routine 396 as described in detail below tocompensate the player for winning the game. The payout may depend on thenumber of matches between the game numbers selected by the player andthe game numbers randomly selected at block 570. At block 582, theplayer's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated bysubtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the keno game waswon, the payout value determined by the payout routine 396. Thecumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in thedisplay area 540 (FIG. 11).

Video Bingo

[0077]FIG. 14 is an exemplary display 600 that may be shown on thedisplay unit 70 during performance of the video bingo routine 250 shownschematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 14, the display 600 mayinclude one or more video images 602 of a bingo card and images of thebingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo card images 602 mayhave a grid pattern.

[0078] To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, aplurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons mayinclude a “Cash Out” button 604, a “See Pays” button 606, a “Bet OneCredit” button 608, a “Bet Max Credits” button 610, a “Select Card”button 612, and a “Play” button 614. The display 600 may also include anarea 616 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed.If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, thebuttons may form part of the video display 600. Alternatively, one ormore of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that isprovided separately from the display unit 70.

[0079]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the video bingo routine 250 shownschematically in FIG. 4. The bingo routine 250 may be utilized inconnection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is playinga bingo game, or the bingo routine 250 may be utilized in connectionwith multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are playing asingle bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts describedbelow may be performed either by the controller 100 in each gaming unit20 or by one of the network computers 22, 32 to which multiple gamingunits 20 are operatively connected.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 15, at block 620, the routine may determinewhether the player has requested payout information, such as byactivating the “See Pays” button 606, in which case at block 622 theroutine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the displayunit 70. At block 624, the routine may determine whether the player hasmade a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button 608 orthe “Bet Max Credits” button 610, in which case at block 626 bet datacorresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memoryof the controller 100.

[0081] After the player has made a wager, at block 628 the player mayselect a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The player mayselect more than one bingo card, and there may be a maximum number ofbingo cards that a player may select. After play is to commence asdetermined at block 632, at block 634 a bingo number may be randomlygenerated by the controller 100 or a central computer such as one of thenetwork computers 22, 32. At block 636, the bingo number may bedisplayed on the display unit 70 and the display units 70 of any othergaming units 20 involved in the bingo game.

[0082] At block 638, the controller 100 (or a central computer) maydetermine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player haswon, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block 634. If anyplayer has bingo as determined at block 638, the payout routine 396 asdescribed in detail below may determine whether the player playing thatgaming unit 20 was the winner. If so, a payout for the player may bedetermined by the payout routine 396. The payout may depend on thenumber of random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, thetotal number of winners (if there was more than one player), and theamount of money that was wagered on the game. At block 644, the player'scumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting thebet made by the player and adding, if the bingo game was won, the payoutvalue determined by the payout routine 396. The cumulative value ornumber of credits may also be displayed in the display area 616 (FIG.14).

Payout Routine

[0083] As mentioned above, a payout routine 396 may be utilized for anyone of the game routines (i.e., the video poker routine 210, theblackjack routine 220, the slots routine 230, the video keno routine240, and the video bingo routine 250). FIG. 16 is a flowchart of thepayout routine 396 that may be stored in the memory of the controller100. Referring to FIG. 16, the payout routine 396 may begin operation atblock 702 to determine an outcome of a game. If the outcome of thecurrent game is a win as determined at block 702, the controller 100 maydetermine at block 704 whether a multiplier flag is turned on. If themultiplier flag is turned off as determined at block 704, the controller100 may increment at block 706 a count that keeps track of the number ofconsecutive wins by a player. The controller 100 may be programmed witha software counter to keep track of the number of consecutive wins bythe player. Block 708 may be used to determine whether the count isequal to a given number of consecutive wins, i.e., whether the playerwon a given number of times. If the count is equal to the given numberof consecutive wins as determined at block 708, the controller 100 mayturn on at block 710 the multiplier flag that may activate a multiplierused to determine a bonus value payout for the subsequent game (i.e.,next game) as described in detail below. At block 712, the controller100 may determine a normal value payout associated with the outcome ofthe current game. At block 713, the payout routine 396 may terminate andthe controller 100 may return to the game routine to update the player'scumulative value or number of credits.

[0084] Returning to block 704, if the multiplier flag is turned on asdetermined at block 704, the controller 100 may provide at block 714 amultiplier to determine a bonus value payout, which may be awhole-number multiple of the normal value payout that would have beenpaid out for winning the subsequent game without previously winning thegiven number of consecutive winning games. At block 716, the controller100 may generate one or more video images and/or one or more audiosegments to indicate the number of consecutive wins by the player. Block722 may be used to reset by turning off the multiplier flag, and returnsto block 706 to keep track of the number of consecutive wins by aplayer. As noted above, block 708 may be used to determine whether thecount is equal to a given number of consecutive wins, i.e., whether theplayer won a given number of times. If the count is equal to the givennumber of consecutive wins as determined at block 708, the controller100 may turn on at block 710 the multiplier flag that may activate amultiplier used to determine a bonus value payout for the subsequentgame (i.e., next game). In an alternate embodiment, block 708 may beused to determine whether the count is equal to or greater than a givennumber of consecutive wins so that a player may be awarded a bonus evenafter winning the given number of consecutive wins. Block 712 may beused to determine the bonus value payout associated with the outcome ofthe game based upon the multiplier. For example, multiply fixed orvariable bonus as used herein, the term “multiply” is used in itsbroadest sense to mean an increased or enhancement of an award value. Atblock 713, the payout routine 396 may terminate and the controller 100may return to the game routine to update the player's cumulative valueor number of credits.

[0085] If the player lost the current game as determined at block 702,the controller 100 at block 718 may clear the count that keeps track thenumber of consecutive wins by the player and block 720 may be used toturn off the multiplier flag in response to the player losing thecurrent game. At block 713, the payout routine 396 may terminate, andthe controller 100 may return to the game routine to update the player'scumulative value or number of credits.

[0086] In an example of a performance of the payout routine 396, thegiven number of consecutive wins may be eight and the current game is aneighth game for a player, who may have won his seven previous games(i.e., the consecutive win count is at seven). The controller 100 maydetermine at block 702 that the player won the current game (i.e., theeighth game). At block 704, the controller 100 may determine that themultiplier flag is not turned on by the outcome of the previous game(i.e., the seventh game). Accordingly, the controller 100 may incrementat block 706 the count to eight in response to the player winning thecurrent game (i.e., the eighth game). At block 708, the controller 100may determine that the count is equal to the given number of consecutivewins. As a result, the controller 100 may turn on at block 710 themultiplier flag that may provide a multiplier used to determine thebonus value payout associated with the outcome of the subsequent game(i.e., the ninth game). Block 712 may be used to determine the normalvalue payout associated with the outcome of the current game (i.e., theeighth game).

[0087] If the player decides to play the ninth game (i.e., thesubsequent game) with the multiplier flag turned on at block 710 inresponse to winning of the eighth game, the controller 100 may determineat block 702 the outcome of the ninth game. If the player won the ninthgame as determined at block 702, the controller 100 may determine atblock 704 whether the multiplier flag is turned on based on the outcomeof the eighth game. As noted above, the multiplier flag may be turned onat block 710 based on whether the count is equal to the given number ofconsecutive wins (i.e., the count is equal to the given number ofconsecutive wins of eight). Accordingly, the controller 100 may provideat block 714 a multiplier in response to the ninth game being a win, andmay turn off the multiplier flag at block 722. The controller 100 mayincrement at block 706 the count to nine in response to the playerwinning the current game (i.e., the ninth game). At block 708, thecontroller 100 may determine that the count is not equal to the givennumber of consecutive wins. As a result, the controller 100 maydetermine at block 712 the bonus value payout associated with the ninthgame based upon then normal value payout associated with the outcome ofthe ninth game and the multiplier provided by block 714. For example, ifthe multiplier is nine, the controller 100 may multiple the normal valuepayout associated with the ninth game by nine. In an alternateembodiment as noted above, the controller 100 at block 708 may determinewhether the count is equal to or greater than the given number ofconsecutive wins. Accordingly, at block 708, the controller 100 maydetermine that the count is equal to or greater than the given number ofconsecutive wins (i.e., nine is greater than eight). The controller 100may turn on at block 710 the multiplier flag for the next game (i.e.,the tenth game) and may determine at block 712 the bonus value payoutassociated with the ninth game based upon then normal value payoutassociated with the outcome of the ninth game and the multiplierprovided by block 714(e.g., the multiplier is ten). As a result, if theplayer wins the tenth game then the payout routine 396 may operate asdescribed above.

[0088] If the player lost the ninth game in the above example, thecontroller 100 may reset at block 718 the consecutive win count (i.e.,the count is reset to zero from eight) and turn off at block 720 themultiplier flag. Accordingly, a bonus value payout may not bedetermined.

[0089] Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of theinvention will be apparent to thos skilled in the art in view of theforegoing description. This description is to be construed asillustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of thestructure and method may be varied substantially without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modificationswhich come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unitthat is capable of generating video images; a value input device; acontroller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value inputdevice, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operativelycoupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to allow aperson to make a wager, said controller being programmed to cause avideo image to be generated on said display unit, said video imagerepresenting a game selected from the group of games consisting of videopoker, video blackjack, video slot, video keno and video bingo, saidvideo image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if saidgame comprises video poker, said video image comprising an image of aplurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises videoslot, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of playingcards if said game comprises video blackjack, said video imagecomprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said gamecomprises video keno, said video image comprising an image of a bingogrid if said game comprises video bingo, said controller beingprogrammed to determine if a player has won a given number ofconsecutive winning games, said given number of consecutive winninggames being non-selectable by a player, and said controller beingprogrammed to determine a bonus value payout if a player has won asubsequent game after winning said given number of consecutive winninggames without an intervening losing game, said bonus value payout beingone of a non-whole number and a whole-number multiple of a normal valuepayout that would have been paid out for winning said subsequent gamewithout previously winning said given number of consecutive winninggames.
 2. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcontroller is programmed with a software counter that is reset inresponse to a loss of a game.
 3. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim1, wherein said controller is programmed to generate one or more videoimages in response to winning said subsequent game after winning saidgiven number of consecutive winning games without an intervening losinggame.
 4. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcontroller is programmed to generate one or more audio segments inresponse to winning said subsequent game after winning said given numberof consecutive winning games without an intervening losing game.
 5. Agaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined inclaim 1, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a networkof gaming apparatuses.
 6. A gaming system as defined in claim 5, whereinsaid gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
 7. A gamingapparatus, comprising: a display unit that is capable of generatingvideo images; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled tosaid display unit and said value input device, said controllercomprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to saidprocessor, said controller being programmed to allow a person to make awager, said controller being programmed to cause a video image to begenerated on said display unit, said video image representing a casinogame, said controller being programmed to determine if a player has wona given number of consecutive winning games, said given number ofconsecutive winning games being non-selectable by a player, and saidcontroller being programmed to determine a bonus value payout if aplayer has won a subsequent game after winning said given number ofconsecutive winning games without an intervening losing game, said bonusvalue payout being based on a normal value payout that would have beenpaid out for winning said subsequent game without previously winningsaid given number of consecutive winning games.
 8. A gaming apparatus asdefined in claim 7, wherein said controller is programmed to determine abonus value payout if a player has won a subsequent game after winningsaid given number of consecutive winning games without an interveninglosing game, said bonus value payout being one of a non-whole numbermultiple and a whole-number multiple of said normal value payout thatwould have been paid out for winning said subsequent game withoutpreviously winning said given number of consecutive winning games.
 9. Agaming apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said controller isprogrammed with a software counter that is reset in response to loss ofa game.
 10. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein saidcontroller is programmed to generate one or more video images inresponse to winning said subsequent game after winning said given numberof consecutive winning games without an intervening losing game.
 11. Agaming apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said controller isprogrammed to generate one or more audio segments in response to winningsaid subsequent game after winning said given number of consecutivewinning games without an intervening losing game.
 12. A gaming system,comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 7, saidgaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gamingapparatuses.
 13. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unit that iscapable of generating video images; a value input device; a controlleroperatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device,said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupledto said processor, said controller being programmed to allow a person tomake a wager, said controller being programmed to allow a person to makea payline selection, said controller being programmed to cause a videoimage to be generated on said display unit, said video image comprisinga plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slot game, each of saidslot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols, saidcontroller being programmed to determine if a player has won a givennumber of consecutive winning games, said given number of consecutivewinning games being non-selectable by a player, and said controllerbeing programmed to determine a bonus value payout if a player has won asubsequent game after winning said given number of consecutive winninggames without an intervening losing game, said bonus value payout beingbased on a normal value payout that would have been paid out for winningsaid subsequent game without previously winning said given number ofconsecutive winning games.
 14. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim13, wherein said controller is programmed to allow a user to select anumber of paylines.
 15. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13,wherein said controller is programmed to determine a bonus value payoutif a player has won a subsequent game after winning said given number ofconsecutive winning games without an intervening losing game, said bonusvalue payout being one of a non-whole number multiple and a whole-numbermultiple of said normal value payout that would have been paid out forwinning said subsequent game without previously winning said givennumber of consecutive winning games.
 16. A gaming apparatus as definedin claim 13, wherein said controller is programmed with a softwarecounter that is reset in response to loss of a game.
 17. A gamingapparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said controller is programmedto generate one or more video images in response to winning saidsubsequent game after winning said given number of consecutive winninggames without an intervening losing game.
 18. A gaming apparatus asdefined in claim 13, wherein said controller is programmed to generateone or more audio segments in response to winning said subsequent gameafter winning said given number of consecutive winning games without anintervening losing game.
 19. A gaming system comprising a plurality ofgaming apparatuses as defined in claim 13, said gaming apparatuses beinginterconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
 20. A gamingmethod comprising: causing a video game image to be generated, saidvideo game image representing a game selected from the group of gamesconsisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slot, video keno andvideo bingo, said video game image comprising an image of a plurality ofplaying cards if said game comprises video poker, said video game imagecomprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels ifsaid game comprises video slots, said video game image comprising animage of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises videoblackjack, said video game image comprising an image of a plurality ofkeno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and said video gameimage comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises videobingo; determining if a person has won a given number of consecutivewinning games, said given number of consecutive winning games beingnon-selectable by a player; and determining a bonus value payout if aplayer has won a subsequent game after winning said given number ofconsecutive winning games without an intervening losing game, said bonusvalue payout being based on a normal value payout that would have beenpaid out for winning said subsequent game without previously winningsaid given number of consecutive winning games.
 21. A gaming method asdefined in claim 20 additionally comprising determining a bonus valuepayout if a player has won a subsequent game after winning said givennumber of consecutive winning games without an intervening losing game,said bonus value payout being one of a non-whole number multiple and awhole-number multiple of said normal value payout that would have beenpaid out for winning said subsequent game without previously winningsaid given number of consecutive winning games.
 22. A gaming method asdefined in claim 20 additionally comprising generating one or more videoimages in response to winning said subsequent game after winning saidgiven number of consecutive winning games without an intervening losinggame.
 23. A gaming method as defined in claim 20 additionally comprisinggenerating one or more audio segments in response to winning saidsubsequent game after winning said given number of consecutive winninggames without an intervening losing game.
 24. A memory having a computerprogram stored therein, said computer program being capable of beingused in connection with a gaming apparatus, said memory comprising: afirst memory portion physically configured in accordance with computerprogram instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to allow aperson to make a wager; a second memory portion physically configured inaccordance with computer program instructions that would cause thegaming apparatus to cause a video image to be generated on a displayunit, said video image representing a game selected from the group ofgames consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, videokeno and video bingo, said video image comprising an image of at leastfive playing cards if said game comprises video poker, said video imagecomprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels ifsaid game comprises video slots, said video image comprising an image ofa plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,said video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers ifsaid game comprises video keno, said video image comprising an image ofa bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo, a third memory portionphysically configured in accordance with computer program instructionsthat would cause the gaming apparatus to determine if a player has won agiven number of consecutive winning games, said given number ofconsecutive winning games being non-selectable by a player; and a fourthmemory portion physically configured in accordance with computer programinstructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to determine a bonusvalue payout if a player has won a subsequent game after winning saidgiven number of consecutive winning games without an intervening losinggame, said bonus value payout being based on a normal value payout thatwould have been paid out for winning said subsequent game withoutpreviously winning said given number of consecutive winning games.
 25. Amemory as defined in claim 24, wherein said memory additionallycomprises a fifth portion physically configured in accordance withcomputer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus todetermine said bonus value payout if a player has won a subsequent gameafter winning said given number of consecutive winning games without anintervening losing game, said bonus value payout being one of anon-whole number multiple and a whole-number multiple of said normalvalue payout that would have been paid out for winning said subsequentgame without previously winning said given number of consecutive winninggames.
 26. A memory as defined in claim 24, wherein said memoryadditionally comprises a sixth portion physically configured inaccordance with computer program instructions that would cause thegaming apparatus to generate one or more video images in response towinning said subsequent game after winning said given number ofconsecutive winning games without an intervening losing game.
 27. Amemory as defined in claim 24, wherein said memory additionallycomprises a seventh portion physically configured in accordance withcomputer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus togenerate one or more audio segments in response to winning saidsubsequent game after winning said given number of consecutive winninggames without an intervening losing game.
 28. A gaming apparatus forplaying a slot game, said gaming apparatus comprising: a user inputdevice; a value input device; a plurality of rotatable slot machinereels, each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slotmachine symbols disposed thereon; a controller operatively coupled tosaid user input device, said value input device, and said slot machinereels, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operativelycoupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to allow aplayer to make a wager, said controller being programmed to determine ifa player has won a given number of consecutive winning games, said givennumber of consecutive winning games being non-selectable by a player,and said controller being programmed to determine a bonus value payoutif a player has won a subsequent game after winning said given number ofconsecutive winning games without an intervening losing game, said bonusvalue payout being based on a normal value payout that would have beenpaid out for winning said subsequent game without previously winningsaid given number of consecutive winning games, said normal value payoutassociated with an outcome of said slot game represented by aconfiguration of said slot machine symbols when said slot machine reelsstop after having been rotated, and said controller being programmed tocause an explanation of said normal value payout of said slot game basedon the configuration of said slot machine symbols, and stored payoutdata in response to a person activating the user input device.
 29. Agaming apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein each of said slotmachine reels comprises an image of a slot machine reel and wherein saidslot machine reels are rotated by generating images of a plurality ofsimulated slot machine reels being rotated.
 30. A gaming apparatus asdefined in claim 28, wherein said controller is programmed to determinesaid bonus value payout if a player has won a subsequent game afterwinning said given number of consecutive winning games without anintervening losing game, said bonus value payout being one of anon-whole number multiple and a whole-number multiple of said normalvalue payout that would have been paid out for winning said subsequentgame without previously winning said given number of consecutive winninggames.
 31. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein saidcontroller is programmed with a software counter that is reset inresponse to a loss of a game.
 32. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim28, wherein said controller is programmed to generate one or more videoimages in response to winning said subsequent game after winning saidgiven number of consecutive winning games without an intervening losinggame.
 33. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein saidcontroller is programmed to generate one or more audio segments inresponse to winning said subsequent game after winning said given numberof consecutive winning games without an intervening losing game.
 34. Agaming apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said slot machine reelscomprises a plurality of mechanically rotatable reels and wherein saidmechanically rotatable reels include a plurality of slot machine symbolsformed thereon.